Author's Note: ::denotes commlink conversation::

Chapter 182 - Coming Home

Elita P.O.V

Cybertron.

I am at once both overjoyed and deeply saddened at the sight of my home planet as it looms before me. Though it seems an age since I last was here, it is as I remember. Its metallic, silvery surface bares the scars of millennia of wars and greed. The lifeless husk of a planet is a sad paradox to be presented with compared to Earth, that shining blue and green sphere that teams with life. /All the more reason to get back there and prevent it from suffering the same fate as Cybertron/.

As I initiate the landing sequence in the Temnos and prepare to set a course for Iacon, I try to raise Chromia on the emergency frequency. The last thing I need is to have my friends mistake me for some enemy craft and try to fire upon me. /Not that they could inflict much damage on this ship!/.

::Chromia, this is Elita One, do you receive me?:: For a moment only silence greets me and I fight back the rising fear that perhaps something has happened to her during my absence. ::I repeat, this is Elita One, Chromia. I am entering Cyberton's atmosphere aboard the Knight's Temnos. Please acknowledge this transmission::

::Elita!:: The husky voice of Chromia erupted in my audial and at once I felt relief flood my systems. ::By Primus I didn't expect to hear your voice anytime soon if at all. What on Cybertron are you doing back? Is Optimus with you? Is…::

I smiled as I replied to my dear friend ::Chromia! Slow down. It is so good to hear your voice my friend, and I have much to tell you, but first, I must find a place to land my ship without drawing too much attention, something I am afraid I have already done::

::I'll send you the coordinates. I assume you are making for Iacon limits?::

Though she could not see me, I nodded my helm regardless as the coordinates appeared on the screens before me. ::Yes. Do you still manage to maintain an Autobot presence there?::

::We do, though it weakens every day:: Chromia's voice grew tremulous ::Your return could not have come at a better time Elita. This will be the boost we need to stick it to the 'Cons::

::Chromia, I am afraid my return has been prompted by dire circumstances. I need for you to assemble as many Autobots as you can and as quickly as you can, time is of the essence::

::Understood Elita. I am on it. We await your arrival. Chromia out::

With that the line went dead and I allowed myself to ex-vent as the ship powered swiftly to its location. I would have to do this quickly as no doubt Decepticon scouts would have already seen the Temnos, not hard to miss a 400-foot-long spaceship. It was only a matter of time before some sort of strike party was sent out to investigate and perhaps capture the impressive craft.

A few moments later the ship's stabilisers kicked in, the engines slowed from their high-pitched whine to a low and persistent rumble and the landing sequence was initiated as the Temnos proceeded to land. As soon as the craft made contact with the ground, I powered down the engines down and engaged the ship's impressive defensive systems. If all went to plan, I would be leaving here with whatever Autobots still remained here and more supplies in a few joors.

I raced through the walkways of the ship and climbed into the cockpits of one of the smaller detachable cargo ships. The Temnos was just too big to get close enough to the arranged rendezvous point. It would be much easier if we just piled into the cargo transport, /that is if I managed to convince anyone to come back with me/.

As I fired up the controls and broke free of the main ship, steering it carefully towards the dilapidated buildings in the distance, I sent a small prayer out into the cosmos, /Primus please help me, help us not be too late./. Drawing nearer, I could make out two familiar figures as they cautiously awaited my approach. My dear femmes, Chromia and Moonracer.

The moment the transport touched down, I powered it down and bolted towards the ramp, punching in the code. It had barely begun to open when I started to make my way down. ''Elita!'' Moonracer cried out, her face alight with joy as she bounced on her pedes in excitement.

I ran the final steps down the ramp and into the arms of Moonracer who held me tightly. ''I didn't think I would see you again! I mean.. I'm glad you are here but I thought you..'' I simply laughed at her rambling. ''I'm going to stop talking now.''

Chromia stepped up and placed her servo on my shoulder, ''If you can Moonracer.'' I released Moonracer and placed a servo on Chromia's, squeezing it tightly. Like her partner Ironhide, Chromia wasn't the overly demonstrative type, but I could tell she was happy to see me.

''It is SO good to see you again Chromia and Moonracer! I can not begin to describe what a relief it is to see you both alive and well, I have missed you so much.''

Chromia smiled at me and patted my shoulder and Moonracer reached out and grabbed my servo, craning her helm behind me to the transport. ''Where is Optimus Prime? Has he remained aboard the larger craft?''

I felt the smile on my dermas fade a little and my expression changed. Chromia cleared her throat in a surprisingly human manner. ''Come now Moonracer, Elita will tell us all we need to know in due course in the meantime, send for the others. We have secured the perimeter, but we do need to hurry. Decepticon scouts will no doubt have noticed your craft.''

I nodded my thanks to Chromia. ''Indeed, I have much to say and, as you rightly pointed out, time is of the essence in so many ways.'' I turned to Chromia as Moonracer ran to the entrance of the building. ''Thanks, Chromia. I hadn't thought I would be hit with that question so quickly.''

''I can't imagine why Elita, seeing as Prime was the reason you left us.'' She smiled softly at me.

I nodded my helm and wrapped my arms about my waist. ''Yes. I guess I should have been prepared.'' I sent her a quick smile. ''Optimus Prime is not with me; he has remained on Earth and for good reason. I shall go into that when the others have gathered but, I want you to be the first to know Chromia that Prime and I… we..''

''Didn't work out? You had both drifted apart?'' Chromia placed her servos on her hips.

I stared at her blankly for a moment before I continued. ''Um, yes as a matter of fact. Though it is a little more complicated than that, that is in essence what happened.''

Chromia smiled knowingly at me. ''I am sorry to hear that 'Lita but, to be honest, a small part of me kinda thought that might happen.'' Her optics took on a distant look. ''At least you got to see him though.''

I went to reply to Chromia about Ironhide but at that moment I could hear and see a group of bots approaching. I smiled at Chromia and whispered to her. ''Yes, I did, and you will see Ironhide soon too if I have anything to do about it.'' Chromia's dermas parted in shock, but she refrained from questioning me.

''Elita One! When Chromia told me you were back, I thought she may have fried a circuit from her last encounter with the 'Cons!'' Kup, the wise old Autobot, lead the group of Autobots towards me. ''But I see that is not the case. Welcome back!''

Beside me, Chromia tensed though she did not bite back at the old bot, something I know took a great deal of effort. I unwrapped my arms from about my waist and took Kup's servos in my own. ''Greetings Kup. It is good to be back among you all again.'' I quickly scanned the group that had assembled before me. Many familiar and dear faces greeted me. Among them Hot Rod, Blurr, Blaster, Perceptor and Wheeljack to name a few. Though there was one face missing and I surprised myself with how desperately I sought it. I fought back a wave of concern at the thought he may have been injured or worse…

''Hey Elita!'' Hot Rod called out as he came to stand beside Kup who had somehow become like a mentor of sorts to the young bot. ''Good to see you again.'' His optics lit up. ''Did you see Optimus Prime? Is he here with you?'' The young mech also craned his helm in search of the fabled and heroic Optimus Prime.

I ex-vented and placed my servos on my hips as I smiled at all the bots gathered. ''In answer to the question I am sure you all wish to know; Optimus Prime is not here with me. I alone have travelled back here…''

''In that?'' Hot Rod pointed to the Temnos. I nodded. ''Bit of an overkill for one femme don't ya think?'' Kup shook his helm at his protégé.

''Did you at least find him or see him?'' Blaster spoke up. ''And what of Jazz, Ironhide, Rachet and the others? Do they still function?''

There was some murmuring amongst the group. I smiled at them all. ''I did indeed manage to find Optimus Prime. He is alive and well.'' /At least he was when I last saw him!/. There was a collective sigh of relief and my spark ached. Optimus often doubted his ability to be an effective leader, and on more than one occasion I had to try and convince him he was indeed beloved and respected by his Autobots. /I wish he could have seen how much they have missed him, how desperately they need their Prime/.

''So, why isn't he here with you then Elita? Why did Optimus Prime not journey back here with you, back to us?'' Perceptor cut to the key issue as I would expect him to do. All optics focused on me.

I nodded my helm and smiled at Perceptor. ''An excellent question.''